TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is building the case for a Mitt Romney presidency by saying the GOP nominee will tell voters the "hard truths" they need to hear to grow the economy and create jobs.
Christie is widely viewed as a future presidential candidate. His decision to scrap a commuter rail tunnel endeared him to fiscal conservatives.
He says he was able to balance the state's budget even with lower taxes and took on unions to overhaul a pension system headed toward bankruptcy.
Christie says political leaders have too often taken the easy road - and that voters have let them.
Meanwhile, Romney appeared for the first time at the Republican National Convention, striding on stage to hug and kiss his wife, Ann, after she delivered her speech.
Romney strode quickly across the large podium to stand at her side, prompting a roar and loud cheers from convention participants Tuesday night. He watched his wife's speech from the green room back stage in the convention hall.
After the speech, Romney and his wife moved to the box situated on the convention floor, where they joined family to watch New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie address the convention.
Romney was nominated earlier in the evening. He gives his acceptance speech Thursday night.
